The three Manchester cocktail bars named among the best in the UK

Three Manchester bars have been given gongs in the UK 2022 Top 50 Cocktail Bars awards.

The awards, organised by food and drink events and media company, William Reed, made its first return in two years to name the 50 locations which impressed judges the most.

The bars on the list are voted for by hundreds of experts, bartenders, bar owners and drinks writers.

Top 50 Cocktail Bars publisher Christopher Lowe said: “London has always been seen as a global leader for cocktails but as you’ll see from the 2022 list, other major cities across the UK are now catching up. Our newly launched website will help cocktail connoisseurs discover the best of the UK bar scene with many of these very much still under the radar.”

The awards were handed out at a ceremony on Tuesday.

While a string of the winners were in London, three Manchester bars were included.

Three Little Words

Watson Street, Manchester

The super-swish bar is noted for its cracking cocktails (our tip is the zesty, gin-based Beautiful Stranger) but it’s the hard-working and knowledgable staff which drew the judges’ eyes on this occasion.

Three Little Words scooped a well-deserved Special Award for Bar Team of the Year - cheers folks!

Speak in Code

Jackson’s Row, Manchester

This low-lit, chilled out spot in Deansgate started out life as a pop-up bar and is a bit of a hidden gem - plus some of its cocktails are almost too pretty to drink. It also works with local breweries and wine experts to take a more sustainable approach to its extensive menu. Try some of its imaginative non-alcoholic cocktails too - a big upgrade on lime and soda!

Schofield’s Bar

Little Quay Street, Manchester

Run by bartender brothers Joe and Daniel Schofield, the bar is set in a beautiful 1930s art deco building and focuses on classic cocktails made to impeccable standards. It’s hard to find fault with the simple perfection of the peach bellini.